I have currently started reading a novel which I downloaded electronically from the Apple iBook Store. It is titled Anthem, written by Ayn Rand, which was published originally in 1938. It is a short book composed of approximately 25,000 words divided into twelve parts. I was motivated to read this book when I discovered that Niel Pert (drummer and main songwriter of rock band RUSH) based their 20 minute masterpiece, 2112, on this book. 2112 is one of my favorite songs by Rush, I really like the story of the song, and seeing how the song was based on this book, I believe that I will like it.
Rush 2112 Album Cover
Anthem by Ayn Rand
Part 1
This book takes place in an unknown future, where the race of man has entered a dark age. The concept of individuality has been eliminated completely (the main character refers to himselef as "we") and collectivism is strongly enforced. The newest of developed technologies is the candle, and scholars believe that the earth is flat. Society is strictly divided into several groups categorized by their function in the community, such as scholars, artists, leaders, cooks, street sweepers, etc. The main character and narrarator begins his story by saying that what he is writing down is a sin. He recognizes that what he is doing is a violation to society and his teachings. He describes how he was born with a "curse" which causes him to have thoughts about what is condemned, and commit transgressions constantly. The protagonist writes down how he is alone in the dark, using only the light of a candle he stole to write those very words. Stealing a candle is a major crime, and the very act of being alone, without anyone else to accompany him is even a greater crime.
He introduces himself as Equality 7-2521, states he is 21 years old, and says he measures 6 feet tall. Equality 7-2521 describes how being 6 feet tall is a burden, since it is "evil" to be different from his brothers, because all men must be alike. Equality 7-2125 describes how he was born into the House of Infants, and then when he became five was sent to the House of Teaching. There he was taught what the scholars know, and when he would turn fifteen, the Council of Elders would assign him a job in the community. Equality 7-2521 wanted deeply to become a scholar in order to learn and satisfy his curiosity, but when the time came, the council assigned him the task of street sweeper. He did not complain, for he knew it was a sin to do so, and he knew he deserved it, since the very act of desiring something was a sin as well. He then fast forwards to describe how he met years later International 4-8818, another street sweeper who was assigned to the same squad he was working in. International 4-8818 is different to Equality 7-2521 and their other brothers, and soon they become friends even though they know this is forbidden. When on the job, they discover an entrance to a tunnel from "The Unmentionable Times". Equality 7-2521 decides to go in, and encourages International 4-8818 to do so as well, but he hesitates, saying that "all from the Unmentionable Times is cursed and forbidden". They keep the tunnel a secret, and Equality 7-2125 goes there every night alone to write, using candles and parchment he stole.
Week 2
Part 2
While sweeping at the border of town one day, Equality meets Liberty 5-3000 a female worker who lives in the House of the Peasants, while she and the other women were working the fields. Equality immediately falls in love with her, even though it is forbidden to take notice of women, and is unable to describe his emotions. Equality 7-2521 describes her as thin and straight as a blade of iron and with blonde hair as bright as the sun. He gestures her by smiling, and she smiles back. They then greet every day by making eye contact, and eventually Liberty tells Equality that she does not want him as his brother. Equality responds by saying that he does not want her as his sister. Later that day, Equality is scolded for humming and singing at diner. When he is asked why he sings, he tells the Council Member that he is happy. Later that night, in his dark tunnel, he meditates the meaning of happiness in his society, and concludes that it is prohibited to be happy.
Equality starts having dreams about the Unmentionable Times, and wonders about the Unspeakable Word, the only transgression in their society punishable by death. He remembers as a child watching a transgressor of the Unspeakable Word being burned down alive at the town center. He recalls that there was no expression of pain or suffering in his face, only happiness and joy.
Week 3
Part 3
When experimenting with his instruments and wires inside the tunnel, Equality discovers the power of electricity; he makes a magnet move using only electricity, and creates sparks from "metal strings" (copper wires) and "cylinders with the power of the sky" (batteries). Equality 7-2521 searches for more technology within his tunnel and finds "glass boxes" (light bulbs), but is unable to decipher how to use them. He eventually concludes that electricity is the power of the sky, and the men from The Unmentionable Times harnessed this power and used it to their advantage.
Part 4
Several days after their first encounter, Equality 7-2521 renames Liberty 5-3000 as "the Golden One", and she responds by renaming him as "The Unqounquered". He tells her that these thought are dangerous, and that they should be careful, but she says that she still wants to think of him that way. The Golden One then urges Equality to come into the field where there is protection from the scorching sun and is cooler, but he hesitates, so she brings him a drink of water by holding it in her hands. She holds her hands up to his lips, and they stay that way for a few moments even though he has finished drinking the water. They then back away from each other, puzzled by this gesture.
Week 4
Part 5
After extensive discoveries and experiments in his tunnel, Equality finally discovers how the "glass box" works. He concludes that the "power of the sky" flows though the wires and into the light bulb to supply it with power. Equality is puzzled as to how the light bulb works as a source of light without using fire or sparks, and how it does not release as much heat as fire. The Unqounquered then realizes the importance and significance of the light bulb, and decides he must share this knowledge with his fellow brothers. In one month, the World Council of Scholars, a group of the wisest and most experimented scholars will meet in his city. Equality 7-2521 intends to visit the convention, show them his discovery and confess his transgressions, since Equality believes he will forgiven because of this great technological breakthrough.
Part 6
After a long day of experimenting at the tunnel, Equality arrives one day late at the House of the Street Sweepers. When asked by the members of the council where he was, he hesitates to answer, and the council sends him of to the Palace of Corrective Detention until he tells them where he had been late that night. The Unqounqured wrote in his journal describing how he was tied to a post, where he was beaten and asked where he had been. He lost consciousness and then woke up in a cell and stayed there until he realized that tomorrow was the day of the convention. He escaped from the palace and went to hide in his tunnel until the big day tommorrow.
Week 5
Part 7
Equality 7-2521 describes how he writes from the Uncharted Forest into which he fled because of the events of earlier that day. He remembers how he walks into the meeting of World Scholars without any problem, since there is no security to stop him. All the scholars are sitting around a long rectangular table, and there is a portrait of the scholars who invented the candle. The oldest and wisest scholar asks him to introduce himself, angered that he interrupted their meeting. The Unqounqured greets them and introduces himself as Equality 7-2521, and tells them he has brought them the greatest gift mankind has ever known. The scholars then listen to Equality as he tells them the story of how he discovered the tunnel, his experiments and the light bulb. Equality then lights his "glass box", while he observes all the scholars tremble in horror to an unknown new power. He tells them not to fear, for he has hanessed this new power of the sky for them. The Scholars then scold Equality 7-2521 for disregarding all of the laws of their community, and give out threats, telling him he will be burned at the stake or lashed to death for his transgressions. The scholars then explain how what not is achieved collectively and cohesively by all men is useless, and decide that his new found light must be destroyed. Equality cannot bear see the destruction of his glass box, so he escapes the council with his light bulb and runs without sense of direction until he falls unconscious in the Uncharted Forest, where he wishes to see The Golden for a very last time before dying out of exhaustion, hunger, and attacks by the wild animals.
Part 8
After one night in the forest, Equality 7-2521 wakes up rested, and starts observing the forest in detail. He discovers that the forest is actually beautiful and is teeming with life. He realizes that he is at last free to do what he pleases, without others telling him what to do. Equality continues exploring the forest until he is hungry, so he uses a stone as a projectile to kill a bird which he cooks. Equality 7-2521 then encounters a stream in which he stops to drink. While drinking, he sees his reflection for the very first time, and is surprised at his own image. He realizes that he is different from anyone he has ever met; he becomes aware of his own strength. He then suddenly realizes that he has been exiled from society, but he concludes saying that it does not matter to him, since the society he lived in was did not allow him to be free.
Week 6
Part 9
Several days later, Equality 7-2521 hears footsteps behind him, as if someone is following him. He turns around, and is surprised to find The Golden One there. He asks her how she got there, and she says that she has followed him into the forest ever since he left town. She then tells Equality that she wants to share his "damnation" with him and go wherever he goes, and begs him not to send her away. She bows down, but Equality raises her again to her feet. Unaware of what he was doing, he kisses her, and becomes astounded of the very idea.
The Golden One then confesses her fears of the forest and of the world outside of it, but Equality 7-2521 reassures her and says that the only thing they should fear is the world outside the forest; they are best in solitude, and should forget about anyone else. That same night, they have sex, and Equality 7-2521 realizes that it is one of the great delights in life. The Unqounquered and The Golden One build weapons to kill their food, make campfires every night, and plan to construct their own permanent settlement one day. A few days later, The Golden One tries to tell Equality 7-2521 she loves him, but she can't, since she can only say: "we love you" because she does not know of the word "I". She tries to tell her that that only she loves him not all of her brothers, but this leaves her confused and unsatisfied with the manifestation of their emotions.
Week 7
Part 10
After climbing a mountain for many days, Equality 7-2521 and The Golden One see off in the distance what appears to be a fire, but it turns to be the light reflecting of the windows of an old abandoned house. Equality and the Golden One explore the house, and they are amazed at what they find. They find more light bulbs, clothes, and "glass that reflects but which is not glass" (mirrors), but most of all they are astounded by the idea that only two people lived there, since they find only two beds in the bedroom, versus twelve. The clothes they find are of many different colors, not just black, grey or white. The rooms are also very colorfull, and Equality finds a shelf full of manuscripts which were "nor soft or rolled up, but with tiny, even handwriting, and hard covers made of cloth or leather". He discovers that it is in their language, but there are many words he does not know. Equality tells The Golden One that they will move into the house and use it as their permanent settlement while he keeps uncovering more secrets of the home's unknown past.
Part 11
After reading several of the manuscripts, Equality 7-2521 realizes that the word he has been missing all this time along was the word "I". After the realization of this word, Equality concludes that the goal of his existence is to make himself happy, rather than trying to please others by following their rules. In this new view of the world, Equality sates that "we" must always come after "I", and after your own self-satisfaction; pleasing others comes after pleasing yourself.
Week 8
Part 12
After the discovery of the word "I", Equality 7-2521 decides to tell The Golden One about his discovery. She listens as he explains the meaning of "I", and after the explanation, The Golden One is finally able to tell Equality she loves him, and she is finally satisfied with her choice of words. The Unquonquered then proposes a new name for them: Prometheus and Gaea. She accepts the name without any inconvenience. Equality then concludes that the transgressor of the unspeakable word had chosen him as his heir and that the unspeakable word was "I".
The Golden One becomes pregnant, and Equality 7-2521 says that he will be raised like a real man, away from the ways of collectivism. He plans to restore his home back to its former glory, and to one day go back to his old town in order to collect people, instruct them in the ideas of individualism, and colonize the mountains in which he now lives. He concludes as a final thought in the book, saying that he will restore glory and individualism back to the human race, slowly but surely, and that the word that is most important in human history is "ego".
Summer Work
Week 1
I have currently started reading a novel which I downloaded electronically from the Apple iBook Store. It is titled Anthem, written by Ayn Rand, which was published originally in 1938. It is a short book composed of approximately 25,000 words divided into twelve parts. I was motivated to read this book when I discovered that Niel Pert (drummer and main songwriter of rock band RUSH) based their 20 minute masterpiece, 2112, on this book. 2112 is one of my favorite songs by Rush, I really like the story of the song, and seeing how the song was based on this book, I believe that I will like it.Part 1
This book takes place in an unknown future, where the race of man has entered a dark age. The concept of individuality has been eliminated completely (the main character refers to himselef as "we") and collectivism is strongly enforced. The newest of developed technologies is the candle, and scholars believe that the earth is flat. Society is strictly divided into several groups categorized by their function in the community, such as scholars, artists, leaders, cooks, street sweepers, etc. The main character and narrarator begins his story by saying that what he is writing down is a sin. He recognizes that what he is doing is a violation to society and his teachings. He describes how he was born with a "curse" which causes him to have thoughts about what is condemned, and commit transgressions constantly. The protagonist writes down how he is alone in the dark, using only the light of a candle he stole to write those very words. Stealing a candle is a major crime, and the very act of being alone, without anyone else to accompany him is even a greater crime.
He introduces himself as Equality 7-2521, states he is 21 years old, and says he measures 6 feet tall. Equality 7-2521 describes how being 6 feet tall is a burden, since it is "evil" to be different from his brothers, because all men must be alike. Equality 7-2125 describes how he was born into the House of Infants, and then when he became five was sent to the House of Teaching. There he was taught what the scholars know, and when he would turn fifteen, the Council of Elders would assign him a job in the community. Equality 7-2521 wanted deeply to become a scholar in order to learn and satisfy his curiosity, but when the time came, the council assigned him the task of street sweeper. He did not complain, for he knew it was a sin to do so, and he knew he deserved it, since the very act of desiring something was a sin as well. He then fast forwards to describe how he met years later International 4-8818, another street sweeper who was assigned to the same squad he was working in. International 4-8818 is different to Equality 7-2521 and their other brothers, and soon they become friends even though they know this is forbidden. When on the job, they discover an entrance to a tunnel from "The Unmentionable Times". Equality 7-2521 decides to go in, and encourages International 4-8818 to do so as well, but he hesitates, saying that "all from the Unmentionable Times is cursed and forbidden". They keep the tunnel a secret, and Equality 7-2125 goes there every night alone to write, using candles and parchment he stole.
Week 2
Part 2While sweeping at the border of town one day, Equality meets Liberty 5-3000 a female worker who lives in the House of the Peasants, while she and the other women were working the fields. Equality immediately falls in love with her, even though it is forbidden to take notice of women, and is unable to describe his emotions. Equality 7-2521 describes her as thin and straight as a blade of iron and with blonde hair as bright as the sun. He gestures her by smiling, and she smiles back. They then greet every day by making eye contact, and eventually Liberty tells Equality that she does not want him as his brother. Equality responds by saying that he does not want her as his sister. Later that day, Equality is scolded for humming and singing at diner. When he is asked why he sings, he tells the Council Member that he is happy. Later that night, in his dark tunnel, he meditates the meaning of happiness in his society, and concludes that it is prohibited to be happy.
Equality starts having dreams about the Unmentionable Times, and wonders about the Unspeakable Word, the only transgression in their society punishable by death. He remembers as a child watching a transgressor of the Unspeakable Word being burned down alive at the town center. He recalls that there was no expression of pain or suffering in his face, only happiness and joy.
Week 3
Part 3When experimenting with his instruments and wires inside the tunnel, Equality discovers the power of electricity; he makes a magnet move using only electricity, and creates sparks from "metal strings" (copper wires) and "cylinders with the power of the sky" (batteries). Equality 7-2521 searches for more technology within his tunnel and finds "glass boxes" (light bulbs), but is unable to decipher how to use them. He eventually concludes that electricity is the power of the sky, and the men from The Unmentionable Times harnessed this power and used it to their advantage.
Part 4
Several days after their first encounter, Equality 7-2521 renames Liberty 5-3000 as "the Golden One", and she responds by renaming him as "The Unqounquered". He tells her that these thought are dangerous, and that they should be careful, but she says that she still wants to think of him that way. The Golden One then urges Equality to come into the field where there is protection from the scorching sun and is cooler, but he hesitates, so she brings him a drink of water by holding it in her hands. She holds her hands up to his lips, and they stay that way for a few moments even though he has finished drinking the water. They then back away from each other, puzzled by this gesture.
Week 4
Part 5After extensive discoveries and experiments in his tunnel, Equality finally discovers how the "glass box" works. He concludes that the "power of the sky" flows though the wires and into the light bulb to supply it with power. Equality is puzzled as to how the light bulb works as a source of light without using fire or sparks, and how it does not release as much heat as fire. The Unqounquered then realizes the importance and significance of the light bulb, and decides he must share this knowledge with his fellow brothers. In one month, the World Council of Scholars, a group of the wisest and most experimented scholars will meet in his city. Equality 7-2521 intends to visit the convention, show them his discovery and confess his transgressions, since Equality believes he will forgiven because of this great technological breakthrough.
Part 6
After a long day of experimenting at the tunnel, Equality arrives one day late at the House of the Street Sweepers. When asked by the members of the council where he was, he hesitates to answer, and the council sends him of to the Palace of Corrective Detention until he tells them where he had been late that night. The Unqounqured wrote in his journal describing how he was tied to a post, where he was beaten and asked where he had been. He lost consciousness and then woke up in a cell and stayed there until he realized that tomorrow was the day of the convention. He escaped from the palace and went to hide in his tunnel until the big day tommorrow.
Week 5
Part 7Equality 7-2521 describes how he writes from the Uncharted Forest into which he fled because of the events of earlier that day. He remembers how he walks into the meeting of World Scholars without any problem, since there is no security to stop him. All the scholars are sitting around a long rectangular table, and there is a portrait of the scholars who invented the candle. The oldest and wisest scholar asks him to introduce himself, angered that he interrupted their meeting. The Unqounqured greets them and introduces himself as Equality 7-2521, and tells them he has brought them the greatest gift mankind has ever known. The scholars then listen to Equality as he tells them the story of how he discovered the tunnel, his experiments and the light bulb. Equality then lights his "glass box", while he observes all the scholars tremble in horror to an unknown new power. He tells them not to fear, for he has hanessed this new power of the sky for them. The Scholars then scold Equality 7-2521 for disregarding all of the laws of their community, and give out threats, telling him he will be burned at the stake or lashed to death for his transgressions. The scholars then explain how what not is achieved collectively and cohesively by all men is useless, and decide that his new found light must be destroyed. Equality cannot bear see the destruction of his glass box, so he escapes the council with his light bulb and runs without sense of direction until he falls unconscious in the Uncharted Forest, where he wishes to see The Golden for a very last time before dying out of exhaustion, hunger, and attacks by the wild animals.
Part 8
After one night in the forest, Equality 7-2521 wakes up rested, and starts observing the forest in detail. He discovers that the forest is actually beautiful and is teeming with life. He realizes that he is at last free to do what he pleases, without others telling him what to do. Equality continues exploring the forest until he is hungry, so he uses a stone as a projectile to kill a bird which he cooks. Equality 7-2521 then encounters a stream in which he stops to drink. While drinking, he sees his reflection for the very first time, and is surprised at his own image. He realizes that he is different from anyone he has ever met; he becomes aware of his own strength. He then suddenly realizes that he has been exiled from society, but he concludes saying that it does not matter to him, since the society he lived in was did not allow him to be free.
Week 6
Part 9Several days later, Equality 7-2521 hears footsteps behind him, as if someone is following him. He turns around, and is surprised to find The Golden One there. He asks her how she got there, and she says that she has followed him into the forest ever since he left town. She then tells Equality that she wants to share his "damnation" with him and go wherever he goes, and begs him not to send her away. She bows down, but Equality raises her again to her feet. Unaware of what he was doing, he kisses her, and becomes astounded of the very idea.
The Golden One then confesses her fears of the forest and of the world outside of it, but Equality 7-2521 reassures her and says that the only thing they should fear is the world outside the forest; they are best in solitude, and should forget about anyone else. That same night, they have sex, and Equality 7-2521 realizes that it is one of the great delights in life. The Unqounquered and The Golden One build weapons to kill their food, make campfires every night, and plan to construct their own permanent settlement one day. A few days later, The Golden One tries to tell Equality 7-2521 she loves him, but she can't, since she can only say: "we love you" because she does not know of the word "I". She tries to tell her that that only she loves him not all of her brothers, but this leaves her confused and unsatisfied with the manifestation of their emotions.
Week 7
Part 10After climbing a mountain for many days, Equality 7-2521 and The Golden One see off in the distance what appears to be a fire, but it turns to be the light reflecting of the windows of an old abandoned house. Equality and the Golden One explore the house, and they are amazed at what they find. They find more light bulbs, clothes, and "glass that reflects but which is not glass" (mirrors), but most of all they are astounded by the idea that only two people lived there, since they find only two beds in the bedroom, versus twelve. The clothes they find are of many different colors, not just black, grey or white. The rooms are also very colorfull, and Equality finds a shelf full of manuscripts which were "nor soft or rolled up, but with tiny, even handwriting, and hard covers made of cloth or leather". He discovers that it is in their language, but there are many words he does not know. Equality tells The Golden One that they will move into the house and use it as their permanent settlement while he keeps uncovering more secrets of the home's unknown past.
Part 11
After reading several of the manuscripts, Equality 7-2521 realizes that the word he has been missing all this time along was the word "I". After the realization of this word, Equality concludes that the goal of his existence is to make himself happy, rather than trying to please others by following their rules. In this new view of the world, Equality sates that "we" must always come after "I", and after your own self-satisfaction; pleasing others comes after pleasing yourself.
Week 8
Part 12After the discovery of the word "I", Equality 7-2521 decides to tell The Golden One about his discovery. She listens as he explains the meaning of "I", and after the explanation, The Golden One is finally able to tell Equality she loves him, and she is finally satisfied with her choice of words. The Unquonquered then proposes a new name for them: Prometheus and Gaea. She accepts the name without any inconvenience. Equality then concludes that the transgressor of the unspeakable word had chosen him as his heir and that the unspeakable word was "I".
The Golden One becomes pregnant, and Equality 7-2521 says that he will be raised like a real man, away from the ways of collectivism. He plans to restore his home back to its former glory, and to one day go back to his old town in order to collect people, instruct them in the ideas of individualism, and colonize the mountains in which he now lives. He concludes as a final thought in the book, saying that he will restore glory and individualism back to the human race, slowly but surely, and that the word that is most important in human history is "ego".